Taupo Historic Grand Prix. 2018

[khyndart in CA]

Some more photos of the Bevin's Falcon XBGT Coupe.
Perhaps someone can fill in the engine specs. for this machine. It looks mean from any angle !

Ivan Bevins, Bruce Thompson and John McKechnie discussing what it would really be like in the rain !

The "heaps of grunt" department..

(Ken H photos )

[Roger Dowding]

Ken, Great Pics and I am so sorry I missed the meeting and catching up you and the others Guys, Grimmie, Mathers, McKechnie and many others..

You guys had a good time as can be seen from the pics ..

Cheers

Roger D.

[ERC]

The ex Craig Pullman XB GT Falcon Coupe pumping an astounding 820hp
[ATTACH=CONFIG]50092[/ATTACH]

That is far more horse power that all my vehicles added together...

[khyndart in CA]

"Quote Originally Posted by Paul B View Post

The ex Craig Pullman XB GT Falcon Coupe pumping an astounding 820hp"

No wonder Ivan had a handling issue on acceleration as the diff was only putting all that power to one rear wheel !

[khyndart in CA]

I seemed to meet friendly folks where ever I went.
Bruce Dyer (Spgeti ) introduced himself then took me to the Historic Muscle Cars & Historic Saloon Cars Group tent and met Dale Mathers, Mike Feisst, Greg Goudie and Bruce Dyer as shown with me in this photo.

Kevin Gimblett came over and discussed the Dale Earnhardt type painting and the number 3 on his roof etc. before taking his 1967 Chevrolet Camaro out in rather damp conditions.
A beautiful machine in my eyes. (In fact I was most impressed with all the preparation and presentation of the cars at Taupo. Immaculate. )

(Ken H photos )

[khyndart in CA]

Kevin Gimblett had good battles throughout the weekend in his Camaro # 3.

Getting away to a good start against Roger Williams who is in a 1979 Camaro # 12

Always great to see and hear Trans-Am / Muscle cars on the first few laps.

(Ken H photos )

[Paul B]

"Quote Originally Posted by Paul B View Post

The ex Craig Pullman XB GT Falcon Coupe pumping an astounding 820hp"
[ATTACH=CONFIG]50272[/ATTACH]

No wonder Ivan had a handling issue on acceleration as the diff was only putting all that power to one rear wheel !

Correct, Ivan said it had a Detroit Locker that was damaged and like you say Ken, when Ivan floored it down the front straight the car had an unmistakable noise only pertaining to an engine you would expect would be 820hp and of course the power coupled with the diff tossed the car sideways under the huge acceleration. It certainly was a sight & great show for the crowd.

I would love to see this beast in action getting the power to the ground, it certainly would be a sight

[khyndart in CA]

Some of the cars in the HMC & HSC Class at Taupo.

Greg Goudie in his 1972 Ford Capri # 94

Natalie Campbell in her 1973 Ford Capri # 227

Glenn Allingham in his 1970 Chev Camaro # 50

Steve Elliot in his 1968 Chevrolet Camaro # 41.
Steve gets 2 photos because he was friendly to me and lives in the Katikati area where my brother also lives.

Tony Mexted in the PDL 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 fastback # 104 which also took Paul Fahey around on a demonstration lap to celebrate Paul's wonderful career of being the NZ Saloon Car Champion in 1965, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972 Unlimited Class Champion, 1975 Saloon Car Champion and now such a nice gentleman who also seemed to be smiling all weekend.

(Ken H photos)

[khyndart in CA]

Some more of the HMC & HSC cars at Taupo.

Dale Mathers in his 1969 Boss Mustang # 23 making a late arrival on the dummy grid beside Roger Williams Camaro # 12

This large and varied field led to some exciting racing throughout the races especially in the reverse handicap race with the winner being Greg Goudie in his 1972 Capri. (Which is for sale.)

(Ken H photos )

[khyndart in CA]

I met up with a possible distant relative, Alan Hyndman, who drove his Triford 6 cylinder Special # 8 in the Formula Junior, Historic Formula 3 and Sports Racing Class and he had a fun weekend getting some 2nd and 3rd place results.

(Ken Hyndman photos )

[nigel watts]

[nigel watts]

[John McKechnie]

Nigel- this is a genuine RPO83 XA Coupe, has 81 on the side, and Fat City Racing on the screen.
This would make it Phil Schubert car.
Craig did own this, got it off the first owner, Jim Richards raced it at Manfeild.
Craig sold it to Phil ,who still has it, then got his yellow now black XBGT.

[nigel watts]

Nigel- this is a genuine RPO83 XA Coupe, has 81 on the side, and Fat City Racing on the screen.
This would make it Phil Schubert car.
Craig did own this, got it off the first owner, Jim Richards raced it at Manfeild.
Craig sold it to Phil who still has it

Yeah it is Phil Schubert - brain fade on my part.

[khyndart in CA]

Back for some Formula 5000 photos.

Glenn Richards. 1975 Lola T400 # 99

Star F5000 driver of the weekend was Andy Higgins in his 1974 Lola T332 # 4

Mike Creswell from Tauranga was at Taupo for his F 5000 debut in his 1973 March 73A # 139.

Mike Creswell with his crew.

Mike Creswell in the white March # 139 getting the feel for it all as Aaron Burson in his blue 1973 McRae GM1 # 29 and Tony Gaibraith in his yellow 1974 Lola T332 # 88 go by as the rain started.

K Hyndman photos.

[khyndart in CA]

This is one reason I never became a race driver as I would get confused just starting the race car !

1973 March 73A start up procedure.
(Hyndman photo )

[khyndart in CA]

The final F5000 race late on Sunday was over 10 laps..

(Ken H photos )

[khyndart in CA]

Ken Smith seemed to draw away in the first few laps but Andy Higgens in his Lola T332 # 4 was not letting him get too far ahead.

There were some good mid field battles throughout the race and at Taupo it is so easy to see most of the track.

(Ken H photos )

[khyndart in CA]

Andy Higgens passed Ken Smith and seemed to draw away easily. I am not sure what issues Ken had but it was an exciting race throughout.

Then after the race it was time to load up and head to Hampton Downs for the next F5000 race.

Tony Robert's 1969 McLaren M10A # 7


(That's the last of my Taupo pics. A personal fantastic weekend. )
Ken H.

[Spgeti]

How did you get time to take all these photos and gas bag at the same time ?.

Your still smiling.....

Great line ups on the grid in F5000, HMC/HSC, HSS and FJs